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The next novena is a special one for us — it’s the novena that first inspired John-Paul to create PrayMoreNovenas.com twelve years ago! :) We’re so grateful to join together in prayer and to pray with and for you. Thank you for praying with us.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is an important day for us to reflect on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s life. Her life is the ideal example of the Christian life lived for God. So we will strive during this novena to imitate Mary, and especially her profound love of God.
As you continue to prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ Child on Christmas, ask for the intercession of these holy men and women with one or more of these December novenas.
Immaculate Conception Novena
As we prepare for the birth of Christ, the Church invites us to meditate on Christ’s saving work by pondering the mystery of Mary’s Immaculate Conception throughout the month of December.
So while the Immaculate Conception Novena begins in November to end on the December 8th feast day, you can pray this Immaculate Conception novena any time during this month dedicated to the Immaculate Conception.
Saint Juan Diego Novena
On December 9, 1591, the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego and asked him to build a chapel in her honor. Our Lady arranged roses in Juan Diego’s tilma and sent him to the Bishop to prove the legitimacy of the request. When Juan Diego opened his cloak, the roses fell out and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was left behind.
The tilma with the miraculous image is on display in Mexico City and has brought about the conversion of many hearts.
Just a few days after the feast of Saint Juan Diego, the Church celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe. During her visit, she spoke these comforting words to Juan Diego (and to us):
“Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?”
This Marian apparition reminds of the motherly love and tender care she has for each one of us. She is considered the patron of the Americas, as well as the unborn.
Each December 13th, the feast of Saint Lucy is celebrated around the world with special devotion and traditions. At each mass, the Church calls on her intercession during the Eucharistic prayers.
This early Christian Virgin and Martyr suffered violence and a brutal death after refusing to break her vow of virginity. Traditionally it is believed that her eyes were gouged out during her torture and were miraculously restored after her death.
Saint John of the Cross, Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church, played an important role in Spain’s Counter-Reformation. He founded several monasteries in Spain and wrote extensively on suffering and the soul’s journey to God.
His writings, particularly his most famous work The Dark Night of the Soul, are still considered to be a poetic and spiritual masterpiece.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the Apostles, needing help to serve the poor, ordained seven righteous men to the deaconate among them Saint Stephen. As a man of great faith and filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen worked many miracles and won debates against those who opposed him.
The Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Family on the First Sunday after Christmas.
God chose to be made man through a human family, giving each Christian family an model of how to put Christ at the center of our own homes and families. We look to the example of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and see the self-sacrificial love that we should pursue.
Ask the holiest of families, the Holy Family, to intercede for your family, that through their help, you may follow in their footsteps.
Holy Innocents Novena
Just a few days after Christmas on December 28, we remember the lives lost in Herod’s crusade to kill the Christ Child.
After hearing about the birth of the newborn “King of the Jews,” Herod, fearing the loss of his power, ordered his soldiers to kill every male child under the age of two in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas.
On the first day of the new year, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God which remembers both the circumcision of Christ and one of the four Marian dogmas.
The title “Theotokos” or “God-bearer” went uncontested for several centuries in the early church; the Council at Ephesus proclaimed this title as dogma in response to the Nestorian Heresy. This title of Our Lady plays an integral part in christological dogma as it affirms Jesus’ dual nature as both God and man.
Many refer to Saint Basil the Great as the “Father of Eastern Monasticism” since he founded one of the first monasteries in Asia Minor. The influence of Basil, a Theologian and Bishop, spread far and wide, even inspiring Saint Benedict’s monastic rule.
He helped to combat the Arian heresy running rampant during his time and contributed to the doctrine on the trinity. His contributions to the Church has led him to be named a
Not only did Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton faithfully live her vocation as a wife and a mother, but she also established the first Catholic school in America.
After the death of her husband, she founded the first women’s religious order in the United States–the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s–which started Catholic schools and orphanages.
Priests play an indispensable role in the Catholic Church. Through the priest, the faithful can participate in the sacramental life of the Church and receive necessary graces to obtain heaven.
But a role this significant doesn’t come without its challenges.
Priests need our prayers to live out their vocation to the best of their ability. Offer these novenas to encourage and support the priests in your life.
Our Church has a desperate need for more men to hear and follow the call to the priesthood.
This shortage not only presents challenges for the people in the pews, but for our priests as well; many parishes only have one priest carrying the weight and responsibilities of serving the faithful.
Many parishes have seen a decrease in members or in zeal among their members. They may suffer from a lack of funds or support that keeps their doors open and the priests may not feel capable of effectively serving their flock.
This novena is a beautiful way to celebrate the vocation of your favorite priest by remembering the anniversary of his ordination. You can even include this in a spiritual bouquet for your priest.
Because he faced many difficulties in his studies, Saint John Vianney was sent to the remote French village of Ars after his ordination. Despite seeming like a man of few gifts, John Vianney served his people with great dedication and love.
His profound love of God and extraordinary ability as a confessor renewed not only his small parish, but also the lives of people who traveled from afar to meet him.
Bishops play a major role in the life of the Church. As the leader of their diocese, a bishop is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing the Catholics in his jurisdiction, and sanctifying the faithful–both laypeople and clergy alike.
Our Bishops in particular need our prayers to courageously defend truth, shepherd their flock, and faithfully carry out the duties assigned to them.
Infertility and fertility are age-old struggles that so many have faced. It can truly test our faith when all you want is a baby and you haven’t conceived yet, or you find yourself pregnant when you aren’t prepared, and it seems God hasn’t heard your prayers. We can look to the Bible to find examples of men and women who struggled in some ways related to child-bearing too. These are saints who can and will pray for us!
Think of Hannah, Rachel, Sarah and Abraham, Elizabeth and Zachariah, Saints Joachim and Anne, the Virgin Mary and Joseph, and more. They were called upon to abandon their will for their child-bearing to the Lord. And what’s more—not all of these characters were eager and willing to take on this suffering, which somehow makes them all the more relatable.
There are also other saints who have been where you are in your struggle or are patrons for fertility and infertility. Their novenas and more are great ways to offer your suffering and petitions to God. He can and will use these sufferings for good, even if we may not see it anytime soon. We can trust Him.
Saint Anne & Joachim
Church tradition tells us that Saints Anne and Joachim were older when they had Mary, and that they had suffered from infertility for many years. After trying for a child for years, all the while trusting in God’s perfect plan, St. Joachim went away to pray for a time. While in prayer, St. Gabriel appeared to both Anne and Joachim and told them they would conceive a daughter; their daughter is Mary, the mother of God! Saint Anne and Joachim trusted in God and were devoutly following Him even before they knew they would conceive. Pray this Novena to Sts. Anne and Joachim for intercession concerning infertility and fertility, but especially for trying to conceive a child.
Saint Gerard Majella
St. Gerard, an Italian saint from the 1700s is a patron saint of pregnant women. There were many miracles attributed to him when he was still living; one of the most known miracles involved a high risk pregnant woman touching St. Gerard’s hankerchief to her abdomen which caused an immediate change for the better and her baby was born healthy. He has interceded for many struggling men and women before; pray this Novena to St. Gerard Majella for his help.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Saint Gianna is a patron saint of mothers and fertility; she carried her last child to term foregoing cancer treatment. She died only seven days after her baby’s birth. Pray this Novena to St. Gianna asking for her intercession; she is an advocate for those suffering.
St. Zelie Martin
Saint Zelie Martin (St. Therese of Lisieux’s mother) suffered the loss of four of her and Louis’ nine children when they were young. She wrote about how this life is short and comes with misery; yet she was able to still glorify God in everything she did. Pray the Novena to St. Zelie Martin for her intercession.
Saint Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes and desperate situations; although, as Christians we know that nothing is ever hopeless with God! Saint Jude was one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was martyred for the faith and his prayers are powerful. When you feel like you might be losing hope, pray this Novena to Saint Jude.
St. Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony is known as the wonder worker! He was born in Portugal, then ended up in Italy after joining the Franciscans. He spent his life preaching, spreading love for God, and performing miracles. Many ask Saint Anthony’s intercession with great confidence; pray this Novena to Saint Anthony of Padua.
St. Brigid of Kildare
Saint Brigid was an Irish abbess living in the 400s-500s; she founded multiple convents. She is the patron saint of babies among other things like midwives and women! Pray this Novena to St. Brigid asking for her saintly intercession.
St. Colette
Saint Colete was an answered prayer! Her parents suffered from infertility and prayed for a child for a long time before they had her. She was a French abbess who lived in the 1300s-1400s. Pray this Novena to Saint Colette and ask her to pray for you, especially if you are trying to conceive.
Remember, whether you are facing infertility, hyperfertility, an unplanned pregnancy, or something else related to fertility, you are not alone. You do not have to carry this burden and pain on your own. Let the saints pray for you and give you a lift on the way to holiness. And most importantly, never forget that God can work through your suffering and that He can work beautiful things out of the most painful events in your life.
November marks the last few weeks of the liturgical year and ushers the Church into the Advent season. As you enter into this time, consider asking these holy men and women to accompany you on your spiritual journey.
All Souls Day Novena
The Church dedicates the month of November to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, so although the official start date for the All Souls Day Novena is in October, you can pray this novena any time during this month to remember your deceased friends and family members.
Saint Cecilia
Saint Cecilia is among the most famous Roman martyrs, and her name is included in the Eucharistic prayer among the most highly venerated Virgin Martyrs.
Despite her vow of virginity, Cecilia’s parents forced her to marry Valerian, a pagan. Because of God’s grace and through a vision of an angel protecting Cecilia, Valerian not only respected her vow, but later converted to Christianity and joined Cecilia as a martyr.
The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, more commonly known as the Feast of Christ the King, on the final Sunday of the Liturgical year.
The feast not only reminds us of the power and dominion that Jesus has, but also reminds us, as we close out the year, of His heavenly glory in which we hope to one day share.
Blessed Miguel Pro became a martyr during the Catholic persecution in Mexico. He was a Jesuit priest who faithfully served his flock until he died by firing squad shouting: “¡Viva Cristo Rey!”
The courage and love of God demonstrated by Miguel Pro sustained the faith of many Mexicans during this time and serves as a profound example for us even today.
In the 1800s, the Blessed Mother appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure, a French Nun in the Daughters of Charity. The Blessed Mother gave St. Catherine the design for the Miraculous Medal, which has become one of the most beloved devotions in the Church and through which many miracles have been worked.
Saint Andrew was the older brother of Saint Peter and an apostle of Christ. After Jesus’ death, Andrew went on to spread the Good News near the Black Sea in what is now Turkey and Greece. He died a martyr on an X-shaped cross. His great love for God and his evangelization efforts serve as a powerful example to the Church today.
Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Bishop and defender of the faith. He became known for his generosity and charity to those in need, and the legends around Saint Nicholas’ charity inspired the beloved tradition of Santa Claus that we know today.
Saint Ambrose went from an unbaptized layman to Bishop of Milan in just over a week. He was a great theologian who used his gifts to defend the faith against the Arian heresy. He also played a pivotal role in the conversion of Saint Augustine.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated December 8th remembers God’s preservation of the Blessed Mother from Original Sin at the moment of her conception. This grace was necessary for Mary to give her free and total yes and become the Mother of God. Through her, God took on flesh for the salvation of our sins.
This novena calls to mind the birth of Christ, helping us to prepare to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts on Christmas Day. This powerful prayer will make an excellent addition to your Advent journey.
The image of the Sacred Heart, pierced for our sins, beautifully illustrates Jesus’ profound love for us. Many holy men and women looked to the Sacred Heart for the grace to respond to this great Love wholeheartedly and without reserve.
Here are seven saints with a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus who can help you do the same.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we know it today actually originated with St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Christ appeared to the French Visitation nun as the image of the Sacred Heart.
In these visions, Christ revealed to St. Margaret Mary the acts of devotion to His Sacred Heart which includes the reception of Holy Communion on the first Friday of each month, a Eucharistic Holy Hour on Thursdays, and the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Before St. Margaret Mary however was St. Gertrude the Great, a German Bendictine nun and mystic, who also experienced visions of Christ. In one particular vision, St. John the Evangelist appeared with Jesus and brought Gertrude to the wounded side of Christ where she could hear His Sacred Heart beating.
She went on to write extensively on the Heart of Jesus and encouraged others to pray to Him for graces. Jesus promised her that all who do will “…draw forth all they need from My Divine Heart.”
St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemportists and Doctor of the Church, worked to further promote the Sacred Heart devotion. He wrote a novena to the Sacred Heart seven years before the Holy See even approved this devotion.
St. John Bosco, an Italian priest, founded the Salesian Order and is known for his love for and devotion to Mary Help of Christians; however, he also helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Despite his old age, he accepted the request of Pope Leo XIII to build the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
St Frances Xavier Cabrini founded the Institute of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the purpose of being “bearers of the love of Christ to the world.”
Frances and her sisters did this by first dedicating themselves to helping Italian immigrants and orphans in New York City. Today, her order continues to reflect Christ’s immense love by serving the poor and vulnerable around the world.
St. Padre Pio was an Italian Capuchin priest who had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart. In fact, he recited St. Margaret Mary’s Novena to the Sacred Heart every day. Pio offered it for anyone who asked for his prayers and his many of these intentions were miraculously answered.
Polish nun and mystic, St. Faustina had a deep love for the Heart of Jesus and wrote often about it in her Diary.
When Jesus appeared to her as the image of Divine Mercy, He gave her a simple but efficacious prayer inviting us to trust in His Sacred Heart: “O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.”
As we celebrate All Saints Day and pray for the faithful departed, the two of us wanted to do something special for you and your family. If you’ve been praying with us for a few years, you know that we like to do this every year :)
This is our gift for you:
We are having a Mass offered for you on November 1st at St. John’s Catholic Chapel in Champaign, IL. This Mass will be offered for you & your intentions.
Then, we are having another Mass offered for your deceased loved ones on November 2nd, All Souls Day, in the same chapel.
And lastly, we are having a Mass offered for all the deceased members of Pray More Novenas — those who have prayed with us at any point in the past and have since passed away. This Mass will be on November 3rd, again in the same chapel.
If you would like to share the names of those you are praying for, you can post them below.
We’re praying for you, your loved ones and your intentions.
Now please join us in praying these two prayers to celebrate All Saints Day and to remember all the poor souls in purgatory.
Prayer for All Saints Day Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ. Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did. Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors. Amen.
Prayer for All Souls Day — the Prayer of St. Gertrude Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
